An inhabitant of the Dutch town Houten, who had just returned from holiday on the island Texel, discovered to her surprise that a dune landscape had appeared opposite her house. Initially the inhabitants of Houten, where 7000 new houses were planned, assumed that building was going to recommence in their neighbourhood. Thirty-two lorries full of sand had been trucked in. The familiar building routines were repeating themselves. But within a few days the salty smelling building sand had been transformed into a dunescape. Marram grass, a pioneer plant extensive rhizomes, was planted to keep the sand together. Once the grass was strong enough, the fences around the dunes were removed and the new miniature landscape was officially opened.
Saudade
The residents’ power of imagination to envision their future kitchens in the concrete foundations, plus the images and rituals of construction in the newest part of Houten, served as the inspiration for… Read More…
Saudade
Hamam
A bathhouse, whereby construction was suspended before completion, turned out to be perfectly useful in its unfinished form. The foundations can be used as tables and benches to stage small scale neighbourhood activities… Read More…